Gym Leader LouisCyphre vs Challenger Rickheg: The Stage is Set...

Rickheg approaches the musty theatre with a sense of apprehension...surely this can't be the correct place! He double-checks the address,gets his bearings and walks inside. Perhaps the gym leader could have picked a pleasant location, or somewhere that is at least well lit?

Off on its own on a pleasant little field in a pleasant and clean city, sits an outwardly decidedly unpleasant building. This building, named the Nightfall Theatre, houses this city's Pokémon Gym.

Inside are deep red drapes and a strong whiff of lavender, rows of gold-trimmed seats and floor-lit aisles, and a stage. Upon this stage, the Dark-type Gym Leader works his magic.

A challenger finds themselves striding down the center walkway betwixt a hushed and watchful audience, ready to take in the coming spectacle. Stepping up onto the stage, the challenger finds their opponent absent, only for the lights to go out throughout the theatre! A single spotlight, narrow at first but widening with each moment, focuses on a robed figure that seems to rise from the floorboards themselves. The robed figure approaches the challenger and speaks—quietly, but heard clearly throughout the silent stands:

"Shall we?"

***

LouisCyphre presides over this nefarious and technical Pokémon Gym. Using the tricks of stage lighting, Lou will shroud his active Pokémon in darkness, only to reveal a different battler when the lights swing back. His auxiliary team members remain concealed in the shadows, only becoming known when they're brought in to play. Lastly, Lou maintains initiative throughout the opening act, both counter-leading and counter-ordering against the challenger's decisions.

Arena Effect Summary

At the end of each round, Lou declares a secret switch in a private message to the referee, without initiating a switch phase. This is something he must do; he cannot chose to stay in. The Pokemon switched in will switch in after the round is reffed but before anyone issues orders.

Lou sends out first in the first round.

Lou's challenger may initiate switches as normal, after Lou's free switch has been revealed. This does have the normal ramifications of either giving Lou a counterswitch or giving him second order. Lou may counterswitch to the mon that was just switched out if he so desires. Lou's counterswitches also yield second order to the challenger, as normal.

Abilities: Insomnia - (Innate) This Pokemon is immune to sleep induced by other Pokemon. It's normal state of sleeplessness makes it take 1 less damage/action from Ghost Curse. If it is put to sleep by a Pokemon with Mold Breaker it will wake up the next action. Super Luck - (Innate) This Pokemon’s natural skill increases its critical hit rate stage by 1 permanently, to a maximum of 5. Critical hit stages are 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2. (DW) Prankster - (Innate) The Pokemon is always prepared for engaging in sneaky tactics and trickery, giving its non-damaging attacks an increase in priority level.

Loyal to a fault, Oddjob is lost without a guiding authority to direct himself with. With little initiative of his own, Oddjob requires constant orders to perform in battle. When given the proper guidance, however, Oddjob is ruthlessly efficient and unflinchingly zealous in his efforts, often foregoing sleep in order to complete a directive.

Abilities: Sand Stream - (Innate) When entering into battle, this Pokemon summons a massive Sandstorm that does not end, expending 10% of its energy to do so. It can re-summon the effect mid-battle for 9% Energy with a command. (DW) Unnerve - (Innate) The Pokemon's presense causes immense tension in the opponent, preventing them from eating a held Berry. Natural Gift may still be used.

Sableye ♂ - Washington Nature: Brave (Atk: +1, Spe -7, Evasion -10%)) Type: Dark / Ghost Dark Type - Dark STAB; Immunity to all telepathic and telekinetic attacks, better performance in all darkened and especially twilight conditions. Can use any Dark-type attack regardless of Attraction. Ghost Type - Ghost STAB; brief intangibility that nullifies Normal and Fighting-type attacks. Can move through walls for a brief period of time but must remain in motion. Superior senses in low light and inside dark buildings. Have no vision reduction in hazes.

Abilities: Keen Eye - (Innate) This Pokemon has extremely good vision and cannot have its accuracy lowered by an opponent through any means (including accuracy lowering attacks, Smogs, Hazes, Fog, etc.). Its attacks are still affected by an opponent’s evasion and the Pokemon's own accuracy. Stall - (Innate) This Pokemon has a watchful eye and immense patience. It can be ordered to attack last on any action regardless of ordinary attack priority. If an opponent orders their Pokemon to attack after Sableye, that attack will fail. Against another Sableye, the trainer who issues attacks first has precedence and the opponent's attack will fail. (DW) Prankster - (Innate) The Pokemon is always prepared for engaging in sneaky tactics and trickery, giving its non-damaging attacks an increase in priority level.

An utter scoundrel, Washington is easily swayed by the charms of others. Attempting to work his charms on others carries mixed results, but he still puts out a solid effort in battle... Presuming that the foe hasn't wiled him with its charms.

Abilities: Illusion - (Innate) Whenever you send this Pokemon out it can feign the appearance of another member on your squad. If this Pokemon is damaged by a direct attack, the Illusion will cease at the end of the round. It will retain the typing and moveset of the Pokemon with Illusion. [Usage Note: PM the ref if you are sending out a Zorua or Zoroark with the info on Zorua/Zoroark and one of your squad members in a Switch=KO battle. You must use that squad member later in the battle though.]

Lacking in self-confidence but overflowing with guile, Nivea spends little time in her proper guise. She dislikes attention, having grown used to going without it, and often uses her illusionary skills to mask her presence for avoid unnecessary contact.

Hydreigon ♂ - Bolas Nature: Naughty (Atk: +1, SpD: -1) Type: Dark / Dragon Dark Type - Dark STAB; Immunity to all telepathic and telekinetic attacks, better performance in all darkened and especially twilight conditions. Can use any Dark-type attack regardless of Attraction. Dragon Type - Dragon STAB; More in touch with legendary or special auras in arenas. Able to use Hyper Beam and Giga Impact without losing focus.

Abilities: Levitate - (Trait) This Pokemon naturally floats above the earth when released or easily takes flight, evading Ground moves like Bulldoze, Dig, Earthquake, and Magnitude. Other Ground moves can still hit. Levitate Pokemon will retain the Levitate trait when they use Skill Swap on an enemy, and will steal the opponent's ability (the user can specify if they want a foe or ally to gain Levitate from a Skill Swap.) If a Pokemon with Levitate uses Role Play, they will copy the opponent's abilities and retain Levitate.

Brazen and difficult to deal with, Bolas strives for attention. He likes things flashy, bold, and noticable; and he relishes attention of any sort. He very often acts without thinking, preferring offense over defense, but he isn't a fool - he knows (however much it may irk him) that there are things out there that you simply can't bull rush. For everything else, though...

Abilities: Volt Absorb - (Innate) This Pokemon absorbs all electrical attacks and instead of taking damage, recovering 50% of the damage an electrical attack would have done. A Pokemon that attacks itself with electricity to heal only recieves 25% of the damage that attack would do to itself. Thunder Wave has no effect on the Pokemon. Lightningrod - (Innate) These Pokemon naturally attract electricity to themselves and away from partners in double battles. When struck with an Electric attack, they transfer the energy into their body, using it to increase their Special Attack by one (1) stage. A boost gained this way by an opponent's attack will be maintained at the end of each round. Self-targeted attacks do not maintain boosts. If a Pokemon has a type immunity to Electric attacks, Lightning Rod will not activate. (DW) Motor Drive - (Innate) This Pokemon nullifies any electrical attack damage and converts the energy from any electrical attack (inc. Thunder Wave) into an energy source that allows it to boost its speed by one (1) level. A boost gained this way by an opponent's attack will be maintained at the end of each round. Self-targeted attacks do not maintain boosts.

Built of cloth, stuffing, and rage, Tee Hee finds enjoyment in battle. Toying with foes if he's ahead, or growing frustrated if he's behind, is his norm. He's quick to hold a grudge against troublesome foes, but just as quick to be distracted by a new challenge.

Challenger Rickheg

Ragnorok the Stratagem(Move your mouse to reveal the content)Ragnorok the Stratagem (open)Ragnorok the Stratagem (close)

Type: RockRock: Rock STAB; reduce damage from all special attacks by two (2) Base Attack Power during Sandstorm. Able to use Sand Tomb without losing focus.

Abilities:Levitate: (Trait) This Pokemon naturally floats above the earth when released or easily takes flight, evading the Ground moves Bulldoze, Earthquake, Fissure, and Magnitude. Earth Power will have three (3) less Base Attack Power. Dig and Dive can strike a Levitating Pokemon if their user is over Size Class 4, has Levitate, is 3.5m or larger, or is a Flying-type. Otherwise Dig and Dive will miss. Ground moves can still hit. Levitate Pokemon will retain the Levitate trait when they use Skill Swap on an enemy, and will steal the opponent's ability (the user can specify if they want a foe or ally to gain Levitate from a Skill Swap.) If a Pokemon with Levitate uses Role Play, they will copy the opponent's abilities and retain Levitate.Technician: (Innate) This Pokemon is more skilled at performing weaker moves, causing any of their attacks that normally deal 6 or below base damage to have their base damage multiplied by 1.5. (e.g. Aerial Ace goes from 6 to 9, Mach Punch goes from 4 to 6, etc.) The Energy Cost for a one-hit or two-hit attack is increased by one (1). Each hit in a multi-hit move is boosted by one (1) damage, and the Energy Cost for multi-hit attacks is increased by two (2).Mold Breaker (DW): (Innate) Whenever this Pokemon attacks, it emits an invisible, blindingly quick pulse preceding the attack that disables the opponents natural abilities (e.g. Levitators plummet towards the ground before Earthquake hits, Volt Absorb will not absorb electric attacks, Clear Body does not prevent stat-drops, etc.)

Abilities
Guts: (Innate) This Pokemon is tenacious and will work ever harder when under a status condition, raising the Base Attack Power of all its physical attacks by two (2). Pokemon with Guts ignore the attack drop from burn.

No Guard: (Innate) This Pokemon has an immense confidence from perfecting each of its attacks, giving them all perfect accuracy. As a result, it feels it can weather every strike, and will not dodge an attack even if ordered to. Only when an OHKO move is issued by the opponent does sense return, and the Pokemon acts normally. Additionally, even with their extra skill, the power and exhaustion involved in using OHKO moves prevents them from being benefited by No Guard; they will have their normal accuracy.

Steadfast: (DW) (Innate) If this Pokemon is flinched, it becomes aware of the speed difference and increases speed by one (1) stage to make up the difference. This speed boost is maintained at the end of each round.

Type: Psychic/FightingPsychic: Psychic STAB; less susceptible to blinding, more susceptible to sound-based assaults as far as locking on with Psychic attacks, can lift and throw opponents with Psychic attacks regardless of weight difference. Psychic-type attacks are not godlike and cannot be used as a catchall for Disabling, Binding, and redirecting opposing attacks.Fighting: Fighting STAB; ignore weight restrictions on Circle Throw, Seismic Toss, Sky Drop, Storm Throw, Submission, and Vital Throw. Superior reaction time in close quarters.

Abilities:Steadfast: (Innate) If this Pokemon is flinched, it becomes aware of the speed difference and increases Speed by one (1) stage to make up the difference. This Speed boost is maintained at the end of each round.Justified: (DW) (Innate) This Pokemon's body reacts to dark energy, invigorating its passions. When hit by a Dark-type move, the Pokemon's attack will increase one (1) stage. A boost gained this way by another Pokemon's attack will be maintained at the end of each round. Self-targeted attacks do not maintain boosts.

"Greetings, friend and traveler. I see you've come along my latest showpiece. It isn't much, not yet, but I have grand plans for it in the near future.

Step up on to this stage with me, if you will. I'd like to you address our audience-they've come here to witness a very moving and heartfelt performance. Can you promise them such a thing, or are you unsure? My, I do hope you can. I've found that I don't at all enjoy a dull fight."

"My lead will be Washington. I assure you, he and I have a plan prepared for each of your possible leads.

Leader Louis Cyphre looks down from the stage as Rickheg carefully threads his way through the aisles. With a snap of his fingers, a dusty light turns out, focusing on a small, fanged figure - Washington the Sableye. Gripping his other Pokeballs tightly, Rickheg releases Ragnorok the Stratagem to begin this gym match.

Washington sniggers before leaping out of the spotlight, chopping the levitating rock-type with enough force to Break a Brick. Though the crowd is showered with bits of rock, they still gasp as Rognorok unleashes mighty Relic Stones, sending some of his floating orbs to batter Washington and then mysteriously hover around the stage!

Washington glares left and right at the pointed stones before winding up a rock-shattering punch. Rognorok rests quickly on the wooden floorboards, completely unaware of the attack its foe is preparing! Rognorok only barely rotates its head before being smashed with a Focus Punch, and Washington giggles hysterically as he returns to his spotlight.

Rognorok is not fazed, however, and looks straight at the Sableye, completely still. As Washington returns the stare, he is unable to notice some of the stones flying towards from behind, and is struck by a Paleo Wave. Suprised, Washington still keeps with the momentum and rushes towards Rognorok, using Brick Break again. At the momentary pause in action, the few lights in the theater black out.

With only a short pause, a different light turns on - this time revealing another of the gym leader's team, a huge three-headed dragon. Stratagem is now facing down Bolas the Hydreigon!